Coverlet Museum News

iT'S HERE!!
THE FARMER FANCY c1840
COVERLET COLLECTION III

In NMAC’s latest collaboration with Windham fabrics, we are proud to announce a new, third line of bold and bright new print fabrics for quilters.   The new line is now available in the Museum shop in Bedford, as well as quilt shops around country.  The colorful and graphic patterns are inspired by the motifs seen in the nineteenth-century woven coverlets (bedcovers) in the Museum collection.*

The name of this exciting new Windham line is taken directly from a Midwestern coverlet, made around 1840, bearing the inscription THE FARMER FANCY.  Its centerfield depicts a charming, folky farming scene, and details from this coverlet will be reflected in the new fabrics.

Harry Tyler’s famous trademark lion appears in several of the new prints, while others focus on details from some of his centerfield patterns.**

THE FARMER FANCY line makes full use of motifs both large and small, all of which coordinate beautifully for use in any project.  For those folks lucky enough to still have prints from the first two Coverlet Collection lines, these new designs blend perfectly. 

Windham’s partnership with The National Museum of the American Coverlet helps to promote the Museum’s mission of inspiring and educating the public about these uniquely American textiles. 

COVERLET COLLECTION fabrics made exclusively by Windham are the only prints officially licensed by The National Museum of the American Coverlet.  A portion of the income from the sale of THE FARMER FANCY – COVERLET COLLECTION III goes to support the Museum. 

Images and ordering information IS posted here.

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*Coverlets in both geometric and figured patterns were widely popular during the early to mid 1800s.  Before mill-run yarns and synthetic dyes became available, coverlets consisted of hand-spun and naturally dyed yarns, usually cotton and wool.   Coverlets were made by both women and men, working on handlooms.   Geometric coverlets were usually produced by women for their own use, while coverlets with figured (realistic) patterns were made by men as a profession.  (If you see a woman’s name on a figured coverlet, it was made for her rather than by her.)

Many coverlets bear inscriptions.  They can include the weaver’s name and/or  location, the date,
the owner’s name, or perhaps a slogan. 

**Some coverlets include trademarks.  One of the most well-known is a lion used in the 1830’s by New York weaver Harry Tyler.

  PRINTED COTTON IS HERE!

NATIONAL COVERLET MUSEUM IS ESTABLISHED